Contact the Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyers of Bisnar Chase at (323) 238-4683 for a free consultation. Victims of L.A. bike collisions and their families can seek financial compensation for their losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damages.
Every accident is different, and many serious injury accidents potentially have multiple liable parties. The Los Angeles personal injury law firm of Bisnar Chase has successfully held at-fault parties accountable. Our law offices have prioritized excellent client representation and satisfaction since 1978.
Our injury attorneys will stay abreast of the official investigation to ensure fair compensation is offered to the victim or the victim’s family.
Find out if you are entitled to recovery by calling us today. Call 323-238-4683 for a free consultation.
Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Los Angeles Bicycle Accident FAQ's
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident immediately call the local authorities. The police will then arrive at the scene and if necessary call an ambulance to treat your injuries. Move to a safe area away from cars approaching.
Bikers who were harmed due to poor road conditions such as potholes, construction zones or shoulder drops can potentially file a claim against a governmental entity or business.
Bicycle collision victims can recover economic and non-economic damages from their incident. Economic damages can be property damages or medical bills. Non-economic damages can be mental anguish or loss of consortium.
Collision Statistics in California
Data shows that 857 cyclists died over a single recorded year due to accidents associated with motor vehicles in the United States. In Los Angeles, including Long Beach, California, within a two-year period, 74 people have lost their lives in bike collision accidents.
California requires motorists to ride safely with cyclists by following traffic signals, yielding to bike riders, and, most importantly, not operating a vehicle under the influence.
Bike Accidents in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States with over 3.9 million people in the population. One of the many transportation methods used by thousands of people in this city is cycling. Although measures have been taken to accommodate a large number of cyclists, there are still many incidents that take place every day.
Below are just some of the many collisions that have occurred in Los Angeles County.
Bicycle hit and run incident in Silverlake leaves cyclist seriously injured: A motorist fled the scene of an accident after violently colliding with and injuring a bicyclist in Silverlake, CA. Footage of the incident emerged showing the 57-year-old homeless man being struck. What was also captured was the vehicle not slowing down after hitting the man.
Bicycle accident in Los Angeles left one dead in DUI-related incident: A biker traveling westbound on Adams Boulevard was hit by a drunk driver. The culprit stayed and was later arrested on the suspicion of drinking and driving. Police Officer, Jon Pinto stated that this is a constant occurrence and pleads for the public to stop these types of incidents.
Teen dragged in a hit and run accident: A 15-year-old boy riding his bike was dragged three blocks after being struck by a vehicle in a Southwest neighborhood in downtown Los Angeles. The boy was able to free himself after being dragged 1,500 feet by the vehicle. The driver did not stop and the teen was eventually hospitalized for his injuries and was labeled to be in critical condition.
Rider dies later in hospital after being struck by driver making a U-Turn: Cyclist Jeff Jones died after being struck by a van while the vehicle was making a U-Turn on Griffith Park Boulevard. The driver of the van stayed at the scene of the accident and cooperated with the local authorities. Jones was described to be in his 50s and was a father that was taken too soon from his loved ones.
Thirty-one-year-old loses life in a hit and run bike crash: While riding on a trail in Norwalk, Carla Margarita Becerra was hit by a motorcyclist and died at the age of 31. The male motorcyclist was eventually found and identified as twenty-year-old Brandon Lindsey. Witnesses said that Lindsey was riding on a trail that prohibited motorists. He was eventually charged with vehicular manslaughter.
Common Causes of L.A. Bike Collisions
Since bikes provide the least amount of protection to riders, the chances of cyclists being critically injured or dying in a bike accident are high. The weight of an average car is 2,700 pounds, and if a rider is struck, it can be fatal.
Bike collisions in Los Angeles frequently occur due to:
- Motorists riding too close to the bike lane: California law states that motorists must leave a safe amount of space between them and a biker on the road. This state regulation is known as the “three feet for safety” law. Under the “three feet for safety” law, drivers must remain at a three feet distance when passing a cyclist from behind.
- Passenger opening car door: “Getting doored” is one of the most common occurrences cyclists in Los Angeles experience. Motor vehicle passengers are to look and proceed cautiously before opening a bike lane door. Many riders do not obtain biker’s insurance, making it difficult to compensate for their injuries.
- Distracted driving: According to a survey conducted by the NHSTA, over a one-year period, 13% of all cyclist injuries and deaths were caused by distracted drivers. California law prohibits drivers from using their mobile phones while driving, meaning speaking and texting on a smartphone is against the law.
- Cyclists not being clearly visible at night: Nighttime fatalities have increased to 9.2% in the United States. Various factors have attributed to cyclists being hit by a vehicle at night. One main factor that has played into riding accidents is poorly lit roads. If a cyclist was not crashed into by a motorist and was injured on a poorly lit road, the local government can be held responsible for the injuries.
Injuries Cycle Victims Experience Frequently
Due to the lack of protection that a bike provides, riders are more vulnerable to the dangers of the road. Even if a cyclist wears protective gear such as a helmet, it does not decrease their probability of being involved in a collision and experiencing injuries to their body.
- Bone fractures
- Broken teeth
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Nerve damage
Cyclists Have a Responsibility to Keep Others on the Road Safe Too
Just like motor vehicle drivers, cyclists have a duty to ride cautiously with others on the road. In some incidents, the cyclists can be at fault for their own injuries.
California laws specifically apply to bike riders are:
- VC 21200 (how cyclists should ride on the road)
- VC 21200.5 (riding under the influence)
- VC 21201 ( the duty of care bike riders owe others on the road)
If a cyclist has partially caused an accident, they can still file for compensation according to California comparative fault law.
Reducing the Chances of a Bike Collision in L.A.
Cyclists and motorists can decrease the potential of causing or being involved in an accident. Many are unaware of the small measures they can take besides wearing a helmet. Other L.A. resources and tips to make sure you as a bike rider stay safe on the road include:
- Slowing down at intersections: Bikers, like motorists, need to be cautious when turning into street intersections. A cyclist should not try to beat a car at a turn. This can be dangerous and can lead to a head-on collision.
- Making drivers aware of you: One of the simplest ways a cyclist can keep themselves safe while riding is making eye contact with a motorist when making a turn or crossing the street. This is especially advised at night. Before crossing the street on your bike, wave to the driver. If the driver is aware of your presence, she/he will flash their lights.
- Wearing protective gear: Bikers can wear more than just a helmet to protect themselves. Bicyclists, especially children who are learning how to ride can have protective gear such as elbow pads and knee pads. Bikers should also wear reflective gear to appear more obvious to drivers when it is dark.
Accountability for a Los Angeles Bike Crash
Liability for a Los Angeles bike accident can be placed on several entities, including a driver, the city where the incident occurred, or the bike manufacturer. Motorists must adhere to the rules of the road and always yield to pedestrians and cyclists.
If faulty layouts or poor road conditions cause a bike rider’s injuries, the local government can potentially be responsible for their injuries. Roads with potholes, uneven streets, or excessive or heavy debris can be unsafe for cyclists. When a cyclist is hurt due to a product defect, they can file a claim against the manufacturer or the product designer.
The California statute of limitations states that injury victims have two years to file a claim against a manufacturer or designer if a product harmed them. Speak to a bike accident lawyer in Los Angeles, California, to schedule a free consultation for your riding crash or car accident case.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in L.A.
Over the years, bike crashes have increased at an exponential rate in California. Injured cyclists can find themselves distraught and unaware of what steps to take after the incident. To increase your chances of winning the compensation, you need to recover from the injuries, you must:
Collect the driver’s information and evidence at the scene: If a motorist has hit you, when you and the driver have retreated to a safe place, exchange information immediately. The types of information that you need to gather from the at-fault driver include the driver’s full name, contact details, car insurance company and policy number, driver’s license, the car VIN number, and license plate number. You must also take photos of the bike, the car, the weather that day, and the streets.
File a claim with your insurance company first: When you are safe and have been treated for your injuries, file a claim through your insurance company as soon as possible. You will want to be the first in the accident to give your statement to begin the process of receiving the compensation you need to heal from the accident physically and financially. Never admit that you were at fault for the incident, and carefully choose your words if you decide to speak to the negligent party’s insurance company.
Seek legal advice: Call our law office if you have filed a Los Angeles bicycle accident claim, and an insurance company has not covered your damages. Our bike crash lawyers have recovered millions for victims who have experienced catastrophic injuries due to a negligent driver. If you live in California, call our Los Angeles bicycle accident lawyers for a free evaluation of your bike accident claim.
Collecting Damages for a Bicycle Wreck
Cyclists who are involved in a bike wreck can be left with devastating injuries that can hinder them not only from being able to go back to work but can compromise their ability to support themselves financially for the rest of their life. Victims of cycling incidents need the recovery they need to alleviate the financial burden and stress that comes after an accident.
Compensation that can potentially be awarded to a bike collision victim can include:
- Medical costs
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
The Worth of Your Bike Collision Case in CA.
Some collision victims are discouraged from filing a personal injury lawsuit after an insurance adjuster misinformed them on their case’s worth. Do not hold the information that the negligent party’s insurance company provides you with high regard. Remember, their only goal is to coerce you into taking the lowest amount of compensation for your case. They also want to detour you from thinking that you deserve more than their offer.
Each bike crash claim is unique. There is not a standard set of compensation that each bicycle accident victim will receive.
Also, do not use an online calculator to estimate the amount of recovery you can receive.
Your injury case’s worth depends on how many damages and losses you have experienced from your accident. Only a Los Angeles bike wreck attorney can present you with thorough estimation of the amount of compensation that you can obtain from your claim.
Speak to a Los Angeles Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Contact Bisnar Chase Los Angeles Bike Collision Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation if you’ve been injured in a Los Angeles bike collision. You may be entitled to recovery and compensation.
Bisnar Chase has been helping injured bike accident victims in Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire since 1978 and has established a 99% success rate. The firm has spent over 46 years working to obtain justice for plaintiffs and has won over $900 million for our clients. After spending decades taking cases to trial and mediation, we are familiar with LA courts and defense teams.
Dangerous Intersections in L.A.
Sherman Way & Sepulveda Blvd.
Manchester Ave. & Figueroa St.
Burbank Blvd. & Sepulveda Blvd.
Van Nuys Blvd. & Roscoe Blvd.
Victory Blvd. & Coldwater Canyon Ave.
Source:
https://www.foxla.com/news/report-most-dangerous-intersections-in-los-angeles-mapped-out-several-located-in-san-fernando-valley
Call 323-238-4683 and begin the process of winning the compensation you deserve.
